Head Start Director of Partnerships

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the well-being of children, families, and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time

 

What You'll Do

The Director of Partnerships plays a vital role in supporting and strengthening partnerships between the Head Start program and school districts, community organizations, and other stakeholders. This position ensures the effective implementation of Head Start services by facilitating collaboration, providing professional development, and monitoring program compliance. The Director of Partnerships works closely with the Regional Director, Education staff, and Family Engagement teams to enhance the quality of early childhood education, support data-driven decision-making, and ensure alignment with Head Start Performance Standards. This role requires strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills to foster a collaborative and high-quality learning environment for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Superintendent, proactively identify and pursue new school district and community partnership opportunities to support effective Head Start program implementation; works collaboratively with districts, community organizations, and internal teams to establish, onboard, and maintain strong educational partnerships; update and maintain annual MOUs
• In collaboration with the Regional Director, schedule monthly meetings with school district/community partner staff to provide resources, address concerns, and support high-quality program implementation
• Support in designing and implementing professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of independent school districts and community partners
• Designs and delivers professional development, gathers and analyzes partnership data, and uses insights to guide goals and initiatives
• Continuously oversee the effectiveness of school district/community program services, including monitoring activities, costs, and reimbursement requests to ensure compliance with MOUs
• Develop and implement the ISD Handbook and other training sessions to support education partners in best practices, instructional strategies, and compliance with Head Start performance standards
• Maintain regular communication with Regional Director, Head Start leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure program alignment and ongoing support; update Memorandums of Understanding annually or as needed
• Work closely with the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, Head Start Leadership, and Head Start staff to ensure educational outcomes meet program goals. Collaborate with the Regional Director, Education, Families Services, Disabilities, Health, and Mental Health teams to support children with atypical needs and provide necessary resources for their success
• Assist in planning and attending monthly Policy Council meetings and actively contribute to leadership discussions to strengthen program effectiveness
• Exhibit cultural awareness, maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and model professionalism, teamwork, and ethical integrity in all interaction
• Contributes to renewal applications, adheres to mandated reporting requirements, follows OHS CLASS Methodology, and supports special projects as needed

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
• Five (5) years progressive experience in education
• Three (3) years experience coaching teachers and education leaders; experience with early childhood education and special education strongly preferred
• Certified in T-TESS
• Reliable in CLASS

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Education Leadership, or Education Administration
• One (1) year of leadership or management experience
• Experience with Head Start including Head Start approved curricula, monitoring, and assessment tools

Travel